wheel barrow recommendations

[BTL-A4]

I'm looking for a new wheelbarrow. I currently have a 6 cu ft steel tub one with one wheel and wood handles. The tub has a hole (I could patch it, I suppose) and the wood handles are warping and getting rough.

Anyone have any experience with the WORX WG050 Aerocart 8-in-1 Yard Cart?
https://www.lowes.com/pd/WORX-3-cu-ft-Steel-Wheelbarrow-Flat-Free-Tire-S/5001734723

The only issue I see for me is I'm 6'-2" and there are no pictures in any of the promo pictures or videos of anyone lifting this from the ground or standing next to it while it's resting on the ground. They are all shown wheeling it around. My concern is it might be too low. I typically use my wheelbarrow for hauling dirt/ground cover around and need to be able to comfortably load and unload it with a shovel, in addition to dumping it. I also mix concrete in it.

Six cu ft is getting to be too heavy. This one is about 3 cu ft, but seems shallow.

The other option is a 2-wheel one. Plastic or steel tub?

Thanks!

 

[seber]

I traded my wheelbarrow for a two wheel Rubbermaid tub some years ago when my wife brought it home. It had been used to haul wet cement for some time. Rolls easy over rough ground and no fear of falling over.

 

[nicks78camaro]

Whatever you do, don't buy a new True Temper. What a cheapo, flimsy, POS compared to the older ones.

 

[mike93lx]

I have a 7 cubic foot Gorilla wagon and a 6 cubit foot single wheel kobal wheelbarrow. At 6'5", they both work well. The cart is quite handy, especially with a little stake body I built for it. It can haul a lot of yard debris and is also helpful as a rolling toolbox, bringing a bunch of stuff to a project.

I tried getting by with just the wagon, but it's not as good for dumping stuff like stone in a hole or mixing concrete.

They also have a 4 cubic foot version

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Gorilla-Carts-7-cu-ft-Poly-Yard-Cart/1000772546

 

[danho]

I have a 2 wheel wheelbarrow with the poly tub and like the stability. It depends what your looking to haul. This one works good for most items but if you are doing concrete or rock, a single wheel metal tub would be better. Going through gates or smaller pathways should ge a consideration as well.

 

[cruzer75]

My BIL has one of those. I think its a POS. Its super low to the ground when in wheel barrel mode amd doesn't seem to do any one of the 8 things great. Just Ok.

I bought a Jackson Mason wheelbarrow. I move 6-9cords of fire wood a year from splitter to stack and from stack to house. I had a true temper from Lowes or HD and killed it after 12yrs. Rotted out and broke.

Dad had a composite tub one. Broke from throwing wood into it in the cold So for me that was a no go.

I have had the jackson about 3-4yrs now, holding up with no noticeable dents from tossing wood at it from afar. So far so good.

 

[RTM]

That Worx cart makes my back hurt just looking at it. At 6’2” also, the pain of lifting that to working height to roll, I can see way too much use of the back, and not the legs.

 

[cashishift]

I have a Jackson. It works pretty good.

Looks like this: m6ffbb-6-cubic-foot-jackson-steel-contractor-wheelbarrow-with-flat-free-tire

 

[dhally]

I have a Jackson. It works pretty good.

Looks like this: m6ffbb-6-cubic-foot-jackson-steel-contractor-wheelbarrow-with-flat-free-tire

I agree. Contractor type wheelbarrows are the best when hauling heavy loads like concrete, rocks or dirt. And yes you may have to lean over a bit when picking it up. They don't make different heights.

 

[F-22]

Why do those Jackson wheelbarrows seem so... primitive? The typical ones here are all welded, all steel, don't have patented legs or "industrial steel" but are 1/4 or 1/5th the price and I've never seen a wheelbarrow that would not have curved handles. I have three similar to this one and they're used daily since the 70's, to the point that the sheet metal in the tub got so thin I had to weld up the holes once, and had to replace the worn out or punctured wheel a couple times.

Or the shovels, they just seem like stamped sheet metal. Do forged shovels exist in the US? I can't imagine any real heavy duty shoveling without one. They are one piece and got a forged rib on the bottom. There are at least 3 different forges making such shovels in my country and I doubt any cost over 20€ with the handle.


That Jackson stuff to me seems like such a ripoff for such basic tools!

 

[BTL-A4]

Why do those Jackson wheelbarrows seem so... primitive? The typical ones here are all welded, all steel, don't have patented legs or "industrial steel" but are 1/4 or 1/5th the price and I've never seen a wheelbarrow that would not have curved handles. I have three similar to this one and they're used daily since the 70's, to the point that the sheet metal in the tub got so thin I had to weld up the holes once, and had to replace the worn out or punctured wheel a couple times.

Or the shovels, they just seem like stamped sheet metal. Do forged shovels exist in the US? I can't imagine any real heavy duty shoveling without one. They are one piece and got a forged rib on the bottom. There are at least 3 different forges making such shovels in my country and I doubt any cost over 20€ with the handle.


That Jackson stuff to me seems like such a ripoff for such basic tools!

It would be great if those wheelbarrows were available here in the US. I wonder why they are not?

 

[BTL-A4]

I hadn't thought about a yard cart. That might work. The issue I see is that they are too low. I'll have to check one out at the store.

The reviews of the Worx wheelbarrow were all pretty good, but the complaint I heard more than once was that the height was too low. Tall people like me had to hold it so high that anything in the pan fell out. The small wheels were also an issue. My yard is pretty flat, but bigger wheels roll better, especially with a load.

I see that I can get new handles for my wheelbarrow, so I might go that route. I think I can plug the hole with a bolt epoxied in place. I'll have to see how many there are.

 

[no704]

I’m not that tall, but just a thought. U might, could get some material the same size as the original handle to put in place of it, put the handle on top, and u bolt it together. Possibly even place shimms in there to get to your height?
Think like building a set of leaf springs.

 

[RTM]

You can get straight wheelbarrow handles here. While ordering, get other long handled tool like a 5’ push broom handle, to reduce the pain of shipping.

Welcome to House Handle Company

Welcome to House Handle Company

 

[mike93lx]

Or the shovels, they just seem like stamped sheet metal. Do forged shovels exist in the US? I can't imagine any real heavy duty shoveling without one. They are one piece and got a forged rib on the bottom. There are at least 3 different forges making such shovels in my country and I doubt any cost over 20€ with the handle.

I've never broken the blade on a stamped shovel. I have worn the blade on a couple flat transfer shovels enough that they've need some reshaping, but never wished for a stronger (or heavier) blade.

 

[seber]

Shovel blades come in varying thickness. Two years ago I picked up a new shovel at the Local Homes for Humanity store. It was so thin it bent in half as soon as I tried to use it. On the other hand, I have one that has had several new handles fitted over the years.

 

[Trapps]

I paid $89 for a Jackson in 1999 at Home Depot. I still have and use it regularly. I did replace the handles and tire about 5 years ago. Highly recommend.

For some reason it'll still move an overflowing load of mulch. Slag , on the other hand, seems to max out at about half full...

 

[Odd-job]

Buy once cry once is a GJ saying? I wish I had one of these...

Overland 1400 Series Electric Wheelbarrow – 10 cu. ft. with Power Dump and All Terrain Tires – Granite Online Store

store.graniteind.com

 

[rancherbill]

In GJ style, Go Big or Go Home

I want one of these.

https://www.homedepot.ca/product/makita-18v-x2-lxt-power-assisted-brushless-wheelbarrow-with-bucket/1001736528?eid=PS_GOOGLE_D00%20-%20E-Comm_GGL_Shopping_PLA_EN_All%20Products_All%20Products__PRODUCT_GROUP_pla-488082539672&gclid=Cj0KCQiAg_KbBhDLARIsANx7wAwu46H75ECRiHoqUO84NZoRhNJi7MJZadaLt2i66dnVivCdzT9pmBAaAoCvEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[Renegade1LI]

If you're in it for the long haul get a subcompact or compact tractor, forget the wheel barrow. Otherwise get a good 6 cu ft steel and poly, the poly is great for mulch and light stuff.

 

[F-22]

Buy once cry once is a GJ saying? I wish I had one of these...

Overland 1400 Series Electric Wheelbarrow – 10 cu. ft. with Power Dump and All Terrain Tires – Granite Online Store

store.graniteind.com

The Makita is kind of neat and a lot cheaper (I think ~1000€). Takes two 18v power tool batteries.


Edit: oops rancherbill was faster

 

[mike93lx]

If you're in it for the long haul get a subcompact or compact tractor, forget the wheel barrow. Otherwise get a good 6 cu ft steel and poly, the poly is great for mulch and light stuff.

And we have peaked

 

[kbeefy]

7 cubic foot Gorilla wagon

I have that one and use it all the time! You can even take the handle off and tow it with a garden tractor or zero turn.

Regular wheelbarrow would still be better for concrete or filling holes, but I rarely do that. I use any excuse to get out the compact tractor for dirt work.

 

[BigLeagueSmoes]

I personally don't like two wheel carts because they're a little more awkward to maneuver. However, for people who struggle to balance a one wheel, by all means two wheel is a good option.

I really don't like plastic tubs because they crack and break so easily, especially if you live in a cooler climate and use it when it is cold outside. They don't seem to last as long either (because they break easily and plastic deteriorates faster than most painted steel tubs). I'll use a plastic tub for hauling mulch around the house, that's about it. Everything else steel tub is better in my opinion.

Honestly one of the best bang for your buck wheel barrows I've used are the Ace Hardware steel contractor wheelbarrows 6 cu ft capacity. I've used six of them in the last four years and every one was solid. The aren't cheap but they aren't the most expensive. They can take a pretty good beating.

https://www.acehardware.com/departm...ls/wheelbarrows-carts-and-hand-trucks/7331705

Kobalt equivalent isn't a terrible second choice for me.

 

[rancherbill]

It would be great if those wheelbarrows were available here in the US. I wonder why they are not?

I suspect shipping. Because they are welded it can't be broken down into the smallest volume.

 

[rancherbill]

The Makita is kind of neat and a lot cheaper (I think ~1000€). Takes two 18v power tool batteries.

It's an 18V LXT unit that you can plug two batteries into at once, but it will run for an hour on a 6ah battery.

As I said I would like to get one, and MY FANTASY PROJECT would be to build a little sulky to let it pull me around while using it, either a sit-down or stand on one.

 

[oldwino]

I personally don't like two wheel carts because they're a little more awkward to maneuver. However, for people who struggle to balance a one wheel, by all means two wheel is a good option.

I really don't like plastic tubs because they crack and break so easily, especially if you live in a cooler climate and use it when it is cold outside. They don't seem to last as long either (because they break easily and plastic deteriorates faster than most painted steel tubs).

my thoughts exactly. I tried a two wheeled plastic one for a while. The tub cracked while loading larger rocks and I found it to be extremely hard to maneuver, especially while turning,

 

[mike93lx]

my thoughts exactly. I tried a two wheeled plastic one for a while. The tub cracked while loading larger rocks and I found it to be extremely hard to maneuver, especially while turning,

I loved my two wheeled wheelbarrow. I could move it one handed, which was helpful when needing to carry something like a shovel or to hold branches in place. It wasn't the right tool for a tight job site, but with some space it was great. The plastic tub did eventually fail, though

 

[CJM8515]

i prefer jackson, very well built if you buy the heavier duty ones. i will say though, im still using the one my mom bought my dad in like 1992. idk who really makes it, we got it at the local hardware store and its been thru hell but keeps on going. i recently repaired one of the handles that cracked with gorilla glue and some 1x2.

 

[Stratohammer]

The very best thing I ever did with a wheelbarrow is donate it to the church.

 

[BTL-A4]

I bought a made in the USA with global materials, Craftsman, two-wheel, plastic tub, metal handle, pneumatic tire one on sale ($120, normally $150). Mine is 25 years old and has 3 holes in it. I thought of patching them with either a screw or a piece of steel and epoxy, but I'm not confident that will hold up, and a shovel or hoe would hang up on the screw heads. Besides, the metal is getting thin and rusty.

I store this in a garden shed, so the plastic should last awhile, since it's not exposed to UV. I mostly haul dirt and bark around, and occasionally use it to haul broken concrete and rocks. It won't see heavy use.

I'm going to use it to mix concrete so we'll see how it holds up to that. I wheeled it around the store with a 60# sack of concrete in it. It was more flexy than one with a steel tub, but the two wheels sure were nice. It was also light enough for me to load it in the back of my pickup alone.

 

[BTL-A4]

This one woulda been awesome! Only $2400 ("used, like new"). FB marketplace in Santa Paula, Ca.

 

[Trapps]

I like @rancherbill 's suggestion. However, I think this is even more GJ:

 

[Firebrick43]

My wife wanted one of these just after we were married 20 years ago. It was over 200 dollars back then and I though it was incredibly expensive but it has held up wonderfully. I have moved tons of horse poo(4 of them), gravel and firewood over the years. Easy to dump when you want and doesnt when you don't want it to like a traditional wheel barrow. It has set outside to much as well but the plastic tub is still going strong.

Stable Mate smart cart.

I don't regret spending the money now with the service I have got from it.

It only cost a little more to go first class.

 

[Dakotadadv8]

Blue Hawk 4 - cu ft steel wheelbarrow from Lowes $40 nice size for landscape and concrete projects. May need to replace the plastic wedges eventually.

 

[rancherbill]

I like @rancherbill 's suggestion. However, I think this is even more GJ:

I love it, a low rider with disk brakes.

 

[Sumboodie]

My BIL has one of those. I think its a POS. Its super low to the ground when in wheel barrel mode amd doesn't seem to do any one of the 8 things great. Just Ok.

I bought a Jackson Mason wheelbarrow. I move 6-9cords of fire wood a year from splitter to stack and from stack to house. I had a true temper from Lowes or HD and killed it after 12yrs. Rotted out and broke.

Dad had a composite tub one. Broke from throwing wood into it in the cold So for me that was a no go.

I have had the jackson about 3-4yrs now, holding up with no noticeable dents from tossing wood at it from afar. So far so good.

I've used several plastic tub ones in my commercial firewood operation.

Definitely need to be a bit cautious about throwing pieces in when cold. I've had a couple break from employees treating them like they were basketball hoops when they were empty.

 

[Sumboodie]

My wife wanted one of these just after we were married 20 years ago. It was over 200 dollars back then and I though it was incredibly expensive but it has held up wonderfully. I have moved tons of horse poo(4 of them), gravel and firewood over the years. Easy to dump when you want and doesnt when you don't want it to like a traditional wheel barrow. It has set outside to much as well but the plastic tub is still going strong.

Stable Mate smart cart.

I don't regret spending the money now with the service I have got from it.

It only cost a little more to go first class.

Woofta... that'd be a $600+ unit once it arrived at my door.

 

[SK-Mike]

Jackson, & I much prefer the regular air inflated tire vs the non air inflated solid rubber tire.

 

[Firebrick43]

Woofta... that'd be a $600+ unit once it arrived at my door.

Everything is greatly inflated going to alaska due to shipping cost